Digital Delivery Group Founded to Help Manufacturers Deliver Convergence and New Technologies to Custom Installers

SEATTLE, WA (6/28/05) -- Twelve of the consumer electronics industry's best regional distributors have formed the Digital Delivery Group, an organization dedicated to helping manufacturers and custom installation professionals provide the latest in fully-integrated audio, video, networking, and home automation systems to consumers. The organization plans to significantly broaden the scope of the traditional relationships between distributors, integrators, dealers, and manufacturers. DDG's leadership includes many highly regarded consumer electronics industry professionals with extensive experience in every aspect of the business.

David Kaplan, DDG Executive Director

Many consumers expect different electronic devices from various manufacturers will work together in a seamless "plug-and-play" fashion. Installers know this is not often the case. The Digital Delivery Group will help custom installers fulfill these desires by providing them with access to new technologies as well as training, technical and sales support. Similarly, DDG will also work with the manufacturers to help them develop new products, marketing tactics, and sales programs that better meet the needs of custom installers.

"We are dedicated to bringing next-generation technologies and systems to the custom installation channels in a logical, consistent, and above all understandable fashion," said David Kaplan, Executive Director, Digital Delivery Group. "Content is everywhere. It comes from multiple locations, through multiple sources, and exists in multiple formats. Customers want that content delivered seamlessly and DDG will help make that happen. The group's mission is to be the leading source for sales and education of existing and emerging products in convergence, integration, flat panel television, and new technologies."

As executive director, Kaplan will manage the group's operations and its relationships with its partners. Kaplan is an experienced industry executive and former vice-president at Magnolia Hi-Fi, Infinity, TERK, Huppin's/OneCall and Meda Systems.

Digital Delivery Group’s founding members bring a broad array of experience to the task at hand, with many years of distributor, retail, factory, and marketing knowledge resident in the group. Mark Friedman of Custom Audio Video Distribution in New Jersey and a former senior vice president of Onkyo USA will serve as group president; Steve Presti of Easy Access Distribution in Massachusetts will serve as vice president; Ed Smith of Custom Distributing in Georgia will serve as secretary; and Bob Oliver of Custom Plus Distributing in Washington state will serve as treasurer.

For more information, call David Kaplan, 509-995-1203.

# # #